Topshop and Decoded Fashion create start-up challenge

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Mar 31, 2016

British fashion retail giant Topshop is reaching out to the tech world. The retailer is collaborating with Decoded Fashion, the global events series that connects fashion and retail with new tech.

Together, they have created The Topshop Challenge, which they describe as an opportunity for founders, developers and startup teams to be connected with a brand at the forefront of innovation in the fashion industry. Topshop is looking for startups and entrepreneurs to pitch ideas on how to use technology in a way that will enhance the Topshop shopping experience for its customers - both online and IRL. The contestants also have to provide originality within their design and brand concept.

The competition is open until April 22 on the Decoded Fashion London Summit site and competitors are asked to pitch a solution to the question: "How do we truly deliver “fast fashion” in the age of immediacy?" The top five ideas will be shortlisted and judged live by Topshop on Wednesday, May 18 at the Decoded Fashion London Summit.

“Topshop is delighted to partner with Decoded Fashion for the first time on its start-up competition. Creativity and innovation are at the heart of TOPSHOP’s agenda and as our industry goes through unprecedented change, this signals another new strand of fresh brand thinking,” said Sheena Sauvaire, Global Marketing and Communications Director, Topshop.

The winner of the challenge will get to meet with the TOPSHOP team to further develop their concept. Decoded Fashion has previously collaborated with Nicholas Kirkwood for the world’s first startup competition on luxury during the London Summit in 2015.